Aspen police: Don’t take selfies with bears

ASPEN, Colo. — Video of a mother bear and her two cubs climbing down a tree in the middle of Aspen went viral earlier this week, prompting police issue a warning about trying to photograph the wild animals.

When the bears came down from the tree on the Hyman Avenue mall, police said there was a “fairly large crowd of photo-takers and those that insisted on trying to get close enough to take selfies.”

Police said one woman walked up to the bears — while carrying her child — to get a selfie.

Police said when the bear and her cubs tried to make a run for it, they were followed by a group of people trying to get video.

This led to the cubs getting separated from their mother, police said.

“The mother bear returned to the mall, very agitated and making loud crying sounds,” police stated. “People were still walking right up to her, even when it was clear she was agitated and growling as people got close.”

Police said the bear could have easily turned and attacked one of the onlookers — and then they would have been forced to euthanize the bear.

“What may seem like an opportunity for a good selfie, could cost a bear it’s life,” police stated.

The mother bear and her cubs found each other again after being separated. Police also issued a reminder that it is illegal to harass any wildlife.